Ulnar nerve compression

[RockinD]

Anyone else got this?

My hands are permanently weak and numb and I have pain all up both arms. My hands are swollen and I can no longer wear my rings. I've been like this since November - it came on suddenly.

I can just about cope with all that, but it hurts to drive, and hoover, I can't carry anything, push a supermarket trolley or hang washing out. I can't even take a phone call longer than a couple of minutes without severe pain in my arm.

I've not been offered any advice or treatment (diagnosed in passing by a consultant I was seeing for something unrelated), but work are getting me a special keyboard, although I have been assessed by our H &S officer and in her opinion this is not RSI.

Does anyone else know anything about this or what I can expect if I tackle the GP with it?

Thanks

[noodleone]

I've had this, although it was a few years ago now. I got some painkillers from the doctor as it was stopping me sleeping and then had Physio. It took about six months in all to get bck to normal. That sounds awful for you. Definitely see the GP and try to get referred

[PoptartPoptart]

It sounds like it could be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I had this a few months ago. I found that wearing wrist splints really helped (both at night and in the day). I got mine from the local NHS walk-in centre - they gave me them for free, but I think you can buy them online too. It didn't stop the pain completely but it really did reduce it quite a bit. See your GP and ask about CTS and see what they say. You can ask for a referral for an ultrasound and a nerve conduction test which will help diagnose it.

[DorsetLass]

Carpal tunnel syndrome - you need to get referred to ortho ham surgeon. Where do you live? May be able to recommend.

[RockinD]

Thanks for your responses.

I was definitely told it was ulnar nerve compression. Is that just another name for carpal tunnel syndrome? I had a bout of that years ago and a steroid injection fixed it, but it didn't feel like this.

I suppose I'd better bite the bullet and see the doc then if there's stuff they can do. I was a bit put off because when I had a frozen shoulder it took 18 months of going through the rheumatology referral process before I was told they couldn't do anything.

Thanks.

[CMOTDibbler]

You need to have nerve conduction tests to see what is going on, and then have it taken from there. If a nerve is being compressed you could permanently lose function.

[cumfy]

Ulnar nerve compression = Cubital tunnel syndrome
Median nerve compression= carpal tunnel syndrome

See GP for diagnosis and nerve conduction tests.

Has idiopathic odema been mentioned ?
I'm not sure your symptoms are necessarily Ulnar nerve compression, but they need checking out.

[Iamaslummymummy]

Look up thoracic outlet syndrome. The ulnar nerve often is compressed up at the brachial plexus (behind the collar bone). This is what I have bilaterally

[cumfy]

yy slummy, I think you're right.

They didn't give a cortisone injection for your frozen shoulder ?